The deadline to register for the November 2005 IIA exams is September 30, 2005. Parts 1 and 2 of the CIA exam will be offered November 16, 2005: Parts 3 and 4 will be offered November 17, 2005. The CCSA, CGAP, and CFSA exams will be offered November 17, 2005. Please go to http://www.theiia.org/index.cfm?doc_id=12 for additional information regarding exam content, registration, and fees.

Proctoring

CIAs who assist with proctoring the examination can earn up to a maximum of 25 CPE hours in the participation category for each two-year reporting period. The exam schedule dates that have been published by the IIA are:

November 16, 17 2005
May 17, 18 2006
November 15, 16 2006

The examination runs 8:30AM-12, there is a break for lunch and the exam resumes 1:30PM-5. Proctors would have to arrive earlier than the examination start time to check-in candidates and to perform other administrative tasks.

If you are interested in proctoring for the upcoming exam, please contact Yolanda Lyons Pfund at ylyons@cobank.com.

On the Horizon:  Computer-Based Testing (CBT) for the CIA Exam

The Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) exam has experienced unparalleled growth in recent years, with a total of 64,806 exam parts taken in 2003 and 63,147 in 2004, compared to 35,644 in 2000. In previous years, the Board of Regents (BOR) has embraced Computer-Based Testing (CBT) concepts for the CIA and specialty exams. The BOR has studied the advantages of using a computer to administer the exams in place of the traditional paper/pencil testing format. Some of the CBT advantages include increased security, candidate flexibility, additional testing windows, and faster results. In recent years, the availability of CBT testing facilities around the world has increased while the cost of using these facilities has decreased. Finally, many affiliates are finding it increasingly difficult to secure exam sites that provide a good testing environment, are reasonable in cost, and large enough to accommodate the growing number of candidates.

Based on these factors, the BOR has decided to actively pursue a strategy of using third-party CBT facilities around the world to administer the CIA and specialty exams, with tentative rollout in 2007-2008. The BOR has narrowed the CBT providers down to two vendors and is currently reviewing their proposals to select a finalist within the next few months.

The BOR envisions a process that will continue to have strong affiliate and certification chairperson involvement in promoting the certification program, exam translation, and supporting local certification initiatives such as training and review courses. Prior to the development or implementation of CBT, the BOR will evaluate and resolve issues that relate to control of the exam process (i.e. CBT vendor, IIA HQ, or IIA affiliates), training, pricing, and most important, exam security and integrity. Updates and additional information will be shared moving forward.

Alan Siegfried, CIA, CCSA, CGAP - Board of Regents

Information on Continuing Professional Education (CPE) more